Azibaza

Buddha and Asian antiques AZIBAZA, the premier gallery in Asia for the arts of the Himalayas and Southeast Asia.

Here you will find Buddha statues, ethnic or religious collectibles and rare antiquities - masterpieces to entice the neophyte, please the seasoned collector or decorate your home with a touch of Asian class.

05/09/2026

Korea to designate four Buddhist Treasures
https://news.azibaza.com/korea-to-designate-four-buddhist-treasures/

04/09/2026

Usuki’s fallen Buddha restored to glory – azibaza's blog

Weathered by a millennium of wind and rain, the Usuki Stone Buddhas in Ōita Prefecture remain among Japan’s most treasured cultural landmarks. Carved directly into volcanic rock during the late Heian to early Kamakura periods, the 61 figures scattered across a hillside have all been designated national treasures for their refined artistry and spiritual presence.

The most celebrated of the group is the Dainichi Nyorai, a 2.8‑metre seated figure at the heart of the Furuzono cluster. Once vividly painted, faint traces of pigment still hint at its original splendour. Yet for centuries, the statue stood headless: its head toppled in the Edo period and lay at its base, a haunting image captured by photographer Domon Ken in his acclaimed work A Pilgrimage to Ancient Temples.

When restoration began in the 1980s, experts debated whether to leave the fallen head untouched as part of the statue’s history. Ultimately, it was reattached to secure national treasure status, and a protective roof was added. For some, the restored figure felt unfamiliar, but its downward gaze continues to invite reverence.

Ōita’s concentration of magaibutsu—around 400 cliff‑carved Buddhas, or 70% of Japan’s total—reflects both the region’s Buddhist heritage and its geology, shaped by a massive volcanic eruption 90,000 years ago. The Usuki figures, with their delicate carving and serene expressions, offer a rare glimpse into the spiritual landscape of medieval Japan.

Today, visitors look up at the Dainichi Nyorai with renewed awe, reminded that even after centuries of decay and debate, the compassion etched into stone endures.

03/09/2026

Myanmar’s spirit festival defies war and divides – azibaza's blog

As monsoon rains swept Mandalay’s outskirts this week, thousands gathered for the Taungbyone Festival — a riot of colour, trance and devotion that has endured despite Myanmar’s civil war.

The annual celebration centres on “spirit consorts”, flamboyant mediums who channel the country’s pantheon of Nats, ancient ghosts revered for their power to protect or punish. Dressed in gold jewellery and heavy make-up, they danced, drank and spiralled into trances as crowds cheered, showered them with roses and tucked cash into their costumes.

For many, the rituals are more than spectacle. “When they come to me, I feel at peace,” said Shwe Moe Thae Kyaw Kyaw, a 35‑year‑old medium. “Things work very smoothly.”
Pride amid conflict

The festival has long been a safe space for Myanmar’s LGBTQ community, with most mediums identifying as transgender women or other marginalised identities. In a country where homosexuality remains criminalised, Taungbyone is often seen as an unofficial Pride celebration.

Yet the backdrop is grim. Since the military coup of 2021, more than 100,000 people have died in fighting between junta forces, ethnic minority armies and pro‑democracy guerrillas, according to conflict monitors. Mandalay itself was devastated by a major earthquake in 2025, compounding the trauma.

Despite this, the festival returned in full force this year, watched closely by pro‑government militias who still label the region a “black zone”. Vendors sold woven headdresses, devotees prayed for relief, and spirits were invoked to heal wounds both personal and national.
A spirit medium, known locally as a “Nat-kadaw,” performs a ritual dance during the annual Taungbyone Spirit Festival in Madaya township, Mandalay region on August 26, 2026.
Ancient ghosts, modern hopes

The Nats are said to influence everything from car sales to the course of war. Some represent kings or warriors, others guard homes or embody natural forces. At Taungbyone, two brother spirits executed centuries ago are central to the rites, alongside Min Kyawzwa, patron of drunkards and gamblers, honoured with bottles of alcohol.

Medium Win Hlaing, 65, explained their enduring appeal: “Nats are like medicines, they each have their own power. I connect people and Nats according to their needs.”

For devotees, the festival offers a rare reprieve from conflict. “I lost my way, that’s why I came here — to find a way back,” said one attendee, speaking anonymously.

In a nation fractured by war, Taungbyone remains a place where belief, identity and resilience converge — proof that even amid turmoil, Myanmar’s spirits still command devotion.

02/09/2026

The carved game that reshaped a Jataka. India

Sannati, Karnataka – A carved stone panel discovered at the historic Buddhist site of Sannati has shed new light on how ancient games were woven into religious storytelling. Archaeologists believe the relief depicts a pivotal gambling match from the Vidurapandita Jataka, one of the Buddha’s birth stories.

A rare find

Excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India in the 1990s revealed a limestone stupa, sculptural slabs and inscriptions dating to the Satavahana period. What makes Sannati exceptional is the survival of both images and inscriptions in abundance, offering scholars a unique window into early Buddhist art and narrative.

Among the panels is a scene showing players on what appears to be an 8×8 board, possibly Ashtapada, with dice in hand. The inscription links the scene directly to the Vidurapandita Jataka, recording it as a pious gift from a notable donor.
The story behind the game

In the Jataka, Vidhura, a wise minister of King Dhananjaya, becomes the stake in a high‑risk dice game. The Yaksa Punnaka wagers a magical jewel and horse, eventually winning Vidhura himself. Taken to the Naga court, Vidhura teaches that his true “heart” is wisdom and virtue, not a physical organ. His insight transforms Punnaka, who gains Princess Irandati’s hand, while Vidhura is returned honourably to his king.
Games and dharma

Early Buddhist texts such as the Brahmajala Sutta mention games played on 8×8 and 10×10 boards, often as activities discouraged for monks. Yet here, the game is not mere pastime – it becomes the turning point through which dharma is revealed.
Cultural resonance

Jatakas were carved and painted on monuments to serve as moral lessons and devotional narratives. The Sannati panel shows how everyday practices like gaming were integrated into stories of risk, wisdom and transformation. It reminds us that play was never just entertainment, but a medium through which ethics and memory travelled across generations.

01/09/2026

Taliban commander admits destroying Bamiyan Buddhas
https://news.azibaza.com/taliban-commander-admits-destroying-bamiyan-buddhas/

24/08/2026

Sri Lanka unearths rare golden Buddha statues – azibaza's blog

Sri Lankan archaeologists have uncovered 17 gold‑plated Buddha statues at Anuradhapura, the country’s ancient capital, in what experts describe as the most significant find in more than three decades.

The discovery was made on 18 August during excavations at the Abhayagiri temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the island’s north‑central region. The statues, bronze figures coated in gold, are thought to date back 1,200 to 1,300 years, with stylistic features resembling artefacts from the seventh and eighth centuries.

Project manager Thusitha Herath, from the government’s Central Cultural Fund, said: “We have found artefacts before, but this is the first time we have seen such a large number of statues.” The items have been sent for testing and are expected to go on public display within a month.

The Sacred City of Anuradhapura has been listed as a UNESCO site since 1982, with excavations continuing under strict conservation rules. The area was once a thriving centre of Buddhist scholarship, attracting monks and pilgrims from across Asia, including China and India. It embraced Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions, reflecting the diversity of Buddhist practice at the time.

The find underscores the historical importance of Anuradhapura, which served as Sri Lanka’s capital for more than a millennium. Archaeologists say the statues were buried at random within the temple grounds, suggesting they may have been hidden during periods of conflict or upheaval.

For Sri Lanka, the discovery is not only a cultural milestone but also a potential boost for tourism, which has struggled in recent years. Officials hope the statues will draw international visitors eager to see the treasures once the testing and conservation process is complete.

This rare excavation highlights how much of Anuradhapura’s ancient heritage remains beneath the soil, waiting to be revealed. For scholars and the public alike, the golden statues offer a glimpse into the island’s rich spiritual and artistic past.

20/08/2026

Vietnam hosts sacred Vu Lan festival – azibaza's blog

Vietnam has welcomed one of its most significant Buddhist events of the year, as the Vu Lan Festival unfolded at the Tay Thien Mandala in Phu Tho Province. Running from 12 to 19 August, the ceremonies were led by His Eminence Thuksey Rinpoche and a monastic delegation from the Drukpa Lineage in India, drawing hundreds of devotees to the northern province.

The festival, rooted in Vajrayana Buddhist tradition, featured a series of elaborate rituals. Early in the week, monks conducted the Amitayus‑jnana ceremony, a rare practice dedicated to health, longevity and peace. This was followed by the Tara Yuldog ritual, invoking compassion and protection from obstacles, with Tara’s 21 manifestations symbolising different enlightened activities.

On 16 August, the focus shifted to remembrance. The Jangwa Grand Ceremony offered purification prayers for the deceased, including fallen soldiers who gave their lives for Vietnam’s independence. The week concluded with a powerful Medicine Buddha empowerment, symbolising healing and renewal, and prayers for peace across the community.

The Tay Thien Mandala, where the ceremonies took place, is a striking Vajrayana complex inspired by Himalayan architecture. Its stupas, monastic quarters and landscaped grounds form a symbolic mandala representing the “Five Elements and Five Wisdoms”.

The Drukpa Lineage, which presided over the festival, is a major tradition within Vajrayana Buddhism with roots stretching back nearly a millennium. It has played a central role in shaping Bhutan’s spiritual heritage, and its teachings continue to influence Buddhist practice across Asia.

For many in Vietnam, Vu Lan is both a spiritual and cultural occasion, blending prayers for ancestors with rituals aimed at fostering compassion and resilience in daily life. This year’s ceremonies, under the guidance of Thuksey Rinpoche, highlighted the growing importance of Buddhist values in addressing modern challenges, from personal well‑being to collective harmony.

The festival’s closing prayers dedicated merit not only to participants but to “all sentient beings”, reflecting the universal scope of Vajrayana practice. As the sun set over Phu Tho Province, the week‑long gathering left devotees with a renewed sense of connection — to their faith, their community, and the wider world.

19/08/2026

Taiwan’s sacred manuscript draws crowds and myths
https://news.azibaza.com/taiwans-sacred-manuscript-draws-crowds-and-myths/

18/08/2026

Vientiane’s Cloister of Buddhas. Laos – azibaza's blog

VIENTIANE – Wat Si Saket, often described as the oldest surviving temple in Laos’s capital, remains one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks. Built in the early nineteenth century under King Anouvong, the complex blends Lao and Siamese styles, its colonnaded galleries and five‑tiered roof standing just opposite the Presidential Palace.

The temple’s layout is striking: a central ordination hall, or sim, sits within a walled courtyard encircled by cloistered galleries. These galleries, lined with niches, house thousands of Buddha images in clay, wood, bronze and silver. Many were salvaged from other temples destroyed when Vientiane was sacked in 1827, turning Wat Si Saket into both a place of worship and a repository of Lao Buddhist art.

French colonial restorations in the 1920s and 1930s helped preserve the site, reinforcing its dual role as a historic monument and living temple. Today, visitors encounter not only the architecture but also an extraordinary open‑air museum of sculpture, with figures spanning centuries of craftsmanship.

Wat Si Saket’s name itself reflects cultural exchange, linking it to Bangkok’s Wat Saket and carrying the Sanskrit honourific “Si”. Its survival through conflict and colonial rule has made it a symbol of resilience in Vientiane’s religious landscape.

For travellers, the temple offers a glimpse into Laos’s layered history. Located on Lane Xang Avenue, it is easily accessible in the city centre. Entry involves walking through cloistered galleries and stone courtyards, where the density of Buddha images creates a powerful impression of continuity and devotion.

As Vientiane modernises, Wat Si Saket endures as a reminder of the city’s past — a cloister of thousands of Buddhas, standing quietly amid the bustle of the capital.

09/08/2026

Ceramic Buddhas Crown Bà Đen Peak. Vietnam – azibaza's blog

A vast exhibition of ceramic Buddhas has opened atop Bà Đen Mountain in Tây Ninh Province, marking the largest showcase of its kind ever staged in Việt Nam. Running from 8 August to 6 September, the event is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the Sun World Bà Đen Mountain resort.

Entitled Kinh Gốm – Thanh Âm Thế Gian (Ceramic Sutras – The Sounds of the World), the exhibition presents more than 400 works by artist Nguyễn Tuấn, known as Tuấn Gốm, alongside artisans from the historic Phù Lãng Ceramic Village in Bắc Ninh. The pieces range from bird‑bodied Buddhas to statues of young novice monks, each exploring themes of enlightenment, compassion and peace.

The centrepiece is a striking Buddha face engraved with the 365 characters of the Great Compassion Mantra, a work that blends spiritual symbolism with meticulous craftsmanship. “When you stand here, taking in the sea of clouds, the mountain scenery and the sculptures, your heart seems to slow, and your mind finds peace,” Tuấn said, describing the harmony between art and landscape.

Beyond the sculptures, visitors can join workshops on Phù Lãng clay, enjoy performances of music and dance celebrating Tây Ninh heritage, and explore spaces dedicated to handcrafted ceramics. Organisers say the event aims not only to honour Buddhist philosophy but also to preserve the legacy of Việt Nam’s traditional craft villages.

Đào Thị Việt, general manager of Sun World Bà Đen Mountain, emphasised the cultural significance: “Each piece represents immense effort and creativity, while embodying profound messages drawn from Buddhist teachings and human life.”

By situating the exhibition on the country’s highest southern peak, the organisers hope to offer a rare combination of spiritual reflection and artistic appreciation. For many, it is a chance to experience Việt Nam’s ceramic heritage in a setting as serene as the works themselves.